Saturday, May 1, 2010

Chicago Botanic Garden

April 2013 Note: I am "reusing" this post for the new party Meme: Oh the Place I've been.

Spring has arrived at the Chicago Botanic Garden, located on the north side of Chicago. For years it has been a goal of mine to go see these gardens, and on April 29, 2010 I finally did. I knew from the flowering trees around Milwaukee that the gardens might be at a peak time for spring, and so my daughter Miranda and I took the day to go check out the flowers.

The gardens did not disappoint - in fact, I became a member and plan to return several times this summer.

The tulip colors were incredible. I see why speculators in Holland went wild over tulip bulbs several century's ago, resulting in a economic crash. Tulips are so much more exciting then financial derivatives will ever be.

It is easy to take all the color around us for granted. In pioneering times, you really wouldn't see much color all winter. Blue sky, whites, browns, grays and blacks, dark evergreen colors. The occasional red cardinal or red berries, and occasionally vivid sunsets. Spring brings welcome green and the colors of flowers, but rarely would you see such a cluster of colors like I got to enjoy on Thursday.

I love being part of this century - with all the colors of dyes for fabric that are available, the vivid print colors of inks that I can printout even at home, or view on a screen. I can take a photo and even as the memory dims the colors a day later, I can review them within minutes on my PC monitor. Wow.

OK, so this blog post kind of rambles, but spring makes me happy, flowers make me happy, and colors make me happy. I hope you get out and enjoy spring.

Dh and I visited the Chicago Bot. Gardens many years ago in early summer and we just loved it. It influenced my home garden. Nice to see your beautiful pics!We've been back, but not at the right time of year.Kathy

Jeanne - Thanks for posting on Favorite Photo Friday - Your photo's are lovely and interesting - but I'm not sure which is your submission.

Our goal is to see one photo that you have chosen to share and be able to understand why it looks as it does. And that's why I ask for as much info as you are able to give. (you don't have to answer all the questions - they are just a guide ) We don't just want to look at a picture (although yours are lovely)- but want to learn how it came to be.

I'd love if you would pick one picture (maybe the first one) and let us know if it was straight out of the camera - or what did you do to create such a neat texture. When you click on it to see it up close - It almost looks like a water color painting when yoy look at the top third. I know playing with the saturation and definition helps to create some of that.

Do you use a point and shoot, a DSLR? Do yo have a favorite lens to get those beautiful photographs?

For folks who want to begin using a DSLR it's nice for them to see the differences in the different brands, I know that is why I chose canon!

I hope this doesn't put you off - I'd love your participation - there is so much we can learn from each other. And your photos are beautiful!

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Thanks for reminding me that I need to see the gardens, too! And I live here! Pathetic,I know!! Right now, with all the weather we had this past week including snow, I think we need a couple more weeks of warmer weather and temps to bring out the beauty of this area. Thanks for sharing and it's great seeing you at the linky party! I'm there, too, so come visit me! I would love that!

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About Me

I am an artist and photographer and a voracious reader. I'm also the mom to 4 active teenagers.
In previous years I have spent a lot of time on my photography business, Selep Imaging, but now I am concentrating more on artistic endeavors and keeping my sanity.
I am loving exploring antiques, quilting, decorating and photography. I find sharing with people with similar interests in blog-land very rewarding - Seasonal decorating has become so much fun with an appreciative audience. I get so many ideas from the online community, and I hope I contribute some too.